1.

Introduction
Sample A
1.1 Background

Obesity is a growing epidemic that is affecting billions of people around the world.
According to the 2004 National Health Survey (Ministry of Health, 2005), 6.8% of
Singaporeans were obese; among them, 4.6% were teenagers. This percentage has
increased over the years since the statistics were recently updated, according to the 2006
National Health Survey (Ministry of Health, 2007), where 14% of Singaporeans were
obese and 10.2% of them were teenagers.

This increasing trend of obesity especially seen among teenagers is worrying because
these teenagers have a higher risk of developing serious health complications such as
liver diseases, coronary heart diseases and stroke when they get older (Health Promotion
Board, 2008).

Therefore, this report was commissioned by the National Youth Council of Singapore to
explore and further enhance the efforts taken to handle and prevent teenage obesity in
Singapore.

1.2 Purpose

The objectives of this report were to investigate the efforts taken and challenges faced in
preventing and tackling teenage obesity and also to recommend strategies to enhance
efforts in handling teenage obesity.

1.3 Scope

The report covers the following:

• Efforts taken to prevent and tackle teenage obesity in Singapore
• Challenges faced in preventing and tackling teenage obesity in Singapore
• Strategies to enhance efforts in handling teenage obesity.

The report does not cover signs or causes of obesity.

1.4 Method of Investigation

The information for this report was obtained from international health encyclopedia such
as Encyclopedia of Obesity, government-linked medical and health websites such as the
website of Health Promotion Board, and medical and health articles retrieved from
databases. Information was evaluated for reliability, relevance, currency, objectivity and
accuracy.
1. Introduction
Sample B
1.1 Background

Despite Singapore being a conservative society, there have been increasing numbers of
teenagers having unprotected sex over the years, resulting in more teenage pregnancies.
External factors such as media influence and peer pressure have played a role in this
worrying trend. Statistical reports have shown that there were 833 pregnancies among
girls aged 19 and under last year, 16 of whom were below 15. Besides that, figures from
the Ministry of Health (2007) show that the number of abortion among teenagers hit a
high of 1391 cases – a significant increase from 112 in 2005.

If nothing is done to address this problem, it could lead to a continuous increase of

teenage pregnancy (Today, 2007). As a result, the National Youth Council requested for a
report that aims to study how to curb the rising teenage pregnancy numbers in Singapore.

The report was commissioned by the National Youth Council with the aim to reduce the
rate of teenage pregnancy in Singapore.

1.2 Purpose

The objectives of this report were to investigate the efforts taken and challenges faced in
preventing and tackling teenage pregnancy in Singapore and also to recommend
strategies to enhance the current efforts taken.

1.3 Scope

The report covers the following:

• Current efforts taken in preventing and tackling teenage pregnancy in Singapore
• Challenges faced in preventing and tackling teenage pregnancy in Singapore
• Strategies recommended to enhance current efforts taken.
The report does not cover families’ responses to teenage pregnancy.

1.4 Method of Investigation

The information for this report was obtained from online articles from government
websites, research databases and newspaper articles related to teenage pregnancy. The
information includes survey findings, statistics and analytical articles on the issue.
Information was evaluated based on its relevance and reliability.
1. Introduction
Sample C
1.1 Background

The demand for quality medical services and products around the world is increasing
continuously. This has given rise to a global market for medical tourism that is growing
exponentially (Dogra, 2005). In the Asian market alone, consumer spending on medical
services and products are expected to rise to USD188 billion by 2013 from USD 90
million in 1999. Currently, Singapore hospitals attract about 200,000 foreign patients
every year, and the Singaporean authorities are targeting to serve a million foreign
patients annually by 2012, generating an estimated revenue of USD 3 billion.

With the current boom and expected growth in medical tourism, many other Asian
countries are also entering this thriving industry. Thailand is one of the most favoured
destinations for medical tourists and a strong regional competitor to healthcare providers
in Singapore. In order to remain competitive in the industry, more need to be done to
further improve medical services in Singapore.

The report was commissioned by the Singapore Tourism Board to study ways to enhance
Singapore’s medical tourism through comparison with Thailand.

1.2 Purpose

The objectives of this report were to compare the current situation in the medical tourism
industry in Singapore and Thailand, analyse areas that can be improved in Singapore, and
recommend strategies to improve the industry in Singapore.

1.3 Scope

The report covers the following:

• Overview of medical tourism in Singapore and Thailand
• Comparison of the quality of medical services, medical facilities, medical teams and
the costs for medical procedures in Singapore and Thailand
• Recommendations to attract more medical tourists to Singapore.

The report does not cover factors leading to the boom of the medical tourism industry.

1.4 Method of Investigation

The information for this report was based on research from medical journals, newspaper
articles and websites on medical tourism. Information was evaluated for relevance and
reliability.